A Grenfell survivor launches a petition to halt the demolition, demanding proper consultation with residents and families.
Emma O’Connor, 36, lived there for six years. Her flat was on the 20th floor. A fire killed 72 people in 2017.
Angela Rayner is the housing secretary. She announced deconstruction plans. O’Connor said they weren’t properly consulted, and the announcement came after merely telling families and survivors.
O’Connor feels there has been no justice served. Grenfell Tower must stand until justice arrives. Her petition seeks resident votes on the tower’s future, including families, survivors, and Lancaster West residents. The Notting Dale ward should also vote.
O’Connor fears becoming invisible if they tear it down. She says focus and justice will disappear. Loved ones died in vain, she believes, and Grenfell Tower shows strength and unity.
Grenfell United shares O’Connor’s anger about the decision. They feel ignored, which they called unforgivable. The group represents survivors and bereaved. A spokesman said Rayner won’t say how many people were consulted. The “short four-week consultation” is under scrutiny.
O’Connor and her partner escaped the fire in a lift. It happened on June 14, 2017. The fire engulfed the tower block quickly. She remembers the shock after leaving the tower. Sirens still cause her terror. She once froze due to a fire engine.
She says the fire happened because of poor communication. It reminds her that deregulation killed people. A report said the fire resulted from “decades of failure,” including unsafe cladding, dishonesty, and indifference to safety.
O’Connor questions the government’s priorities. She wonders why they are spending money on demolition. She suggests they remove dangerous cladding instead. She says they fight for measures to save lives and want to prevent others from enduring what they face.
The government says engineers advised demolition due to damage. The building’s condition worsens over time. Added protective measures give it stability. O’Connor understands safety concerns, but she believes demolition should wait for consultation. Rayner says she understands their struggle.
O’Connor pleads for Rayner’s support and respect. She wants dignity for victims killed in a barbaric manner.